VLOGS

Rich’s back on site to fix a gas boosted solar hot water system that just wasn’t delivering.

The customer’s water was only reaching 42°C instead of the required 60°C — not enough for showers, and not compliant with safety standards.

The Problem

•Old gas booster (10+ years, past lifespan)

•Storage tank too cold in winter

•Tempering valve couldn’t compensate

The Fix: Rheem Continuous Flow Upgrade

Instead of replacing the entire solar setup, Rich installed a new Rheem continuous flow system as the gas booster.

This way, the solar panels and storage tank remain in place, but the system reliably boosts the hot water to the right temperature.

The Benefits

•Piping hot water year-round

•Retains solar efficiency

•Safe 50°C delivery with compliant tempering valve

•Cost-effective upgrade vs full replacement

Location: Perth, WA

Need help with solar or gas hot water? Call Plumbdog Plumbing – Perth’s hot water specialists.

A homeowner’s old Bosch 10P hot water system kept failing, leaving her without hot water during high winds and bad weather. Plumbdog was called in for a replacement — but this wasn’t just a simple swap.

The Problem

The old pilot-light system had:
•Frequent outages during high winds
•Poor gas pressure due to location
•Outdated technology prone to failure

The goal: a modern, reliable system that keeps the household comfortable year-round.

The Investigation & Fix

Richard tackled the issue step by step:
•Inspected the old system to understand why it was failing
•Selected a new location closer to the gas meter for optimal pressure
•Installed a modern gas continuous flow system with a dedicated power point
•Tested hot water and gas pressures to ensure safe, compliant operation

“Pilot-light systems are outdated and unreliable. Proper planning, gas sizing, and installation are key for long-term performance.”

The Result

•Continuous flow hot water installed and fully operational

•Safe, compliant gas and water connections

•Homeowner now enjoys reliable hot water even in adverse weather

•Modern system reduces maintenance headaches and energy waste

Location: Mount Lawley, WA
Need expert hot water replacement or plumbing upgrades? Call Plumbdog

Evan’s back in Warwick, WA after a recent emergency weekend callout.

The client had a hidden water leak behind their hot water system. On the day, Evan carried out a temporary repair to stop the leak. This visit was all about the permanent fix.

What Evan Found

•Old polybutylene pipes (grey pipe) in the wall

•Hot pipe rubbing on the timber top plate with no clips

•Pipe eventually wore through, causing a hidden leak

Evan’s Solution

•Removed the hot water unit and wall sheeting
•Replaced both hot and cold pipes with high-quality piping
•Saddled (clipped) them properly to prevent movement
•Reran the pipes neatly over and through the roof space
•Reinstalled and tested the hot water system

The Result

•No more leaks

•Stronger, long-lasting pipework

•Properly clipped and secured installation

•Peace of mind for the homeowner

“Movement equals wear — and wear means leaks. Securing pipes properly saves big headaches later.”

Location: Warwick, WA

Takeaway: Old polybutylene pipework is prone to failure. Always ensure pipes are clipped and secured — shortcuts only end up costing more down the track.

Need help with water leaks or hot water repairs in Perth?
Call the experts – Plumbdog Plumbing

Even the most beautiful homes can hide plumbing headaches. In City Beach, Rich was called out when washing machines weren’t draining properly — and what looked like a simple issue quickly turned into a detective job.

Location: City Beach, WA

The Problem

On arrival, Rich discovered a combination of issues:

•Laundry trap setup with a badly capped spigot

•Tiny outlet hole restricting water flow

•Fluff and debris building up inside the trap

•A piece of rogue plastic lodged inside, blocking drainage

•Even a luxury home isn’t immune to poor plumbing setups!

The Fix

Rich carefully investigated and corrected each problem:

•Reconfigured the laundry trap setup for proper flow
•Enlarged the outlet hole to remove water restriction
•Cleared built-up fluff and debris from the trap
•Removed the hidden plastic obstruction
•Restored proper drainage for all washing machines

“From fluff to full blockage, sometimes you have to go all-in to get it flowing right again.”

The Result

•Luxury laundry fully operational

•Drainage issues permanently fixed

•Homeowner happy, with machines draining efficiently

This job highlights the importance of proper trap & spigot installation and hands-on troubleshooting, even in high-end homes.

Got washing machine or drainage problems?
Call the dogs that sniff them out – Plumbdog Plumbing Perth